Village Schools of the Bible

Middle East: SHATTERED HOPES FOR PEACE

Recently, I shared with you the hopes of many that finally a roadway to peace was being established. The handshake between Prime Minister Sharon of Israel, Prime Minister Abbas of the Palestinian Authority and President Bush at the summit in Aqaba, Jordan, seemed to be a prelude to peaceful intentions. It was thought that perhaps both sides were tiring of the constant battles, the almost endless string of funerals for the dead, and the carnage of war.

But, those hopes were shattered this past week into pieces that, like Humpty Dumpty cannot be put together again. Israeli soldiers murdered by assassins of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the El-Aqsa Brigade. In return, Israel retaliates with rocket propelled missiles targeting the leader of Hamas, wounding him but killing several people standing nearby. Hamas then retaliates with a suicide bomber, dressed as an Orthodox Jew, blowing himself up on a crowded Israeli bus in the heart of downtown Jerusalem. Sixteen are killed, nearly 70 more injured. Israel retaliates by using helicopter gunships to strike down two leaders of Hamas, not only killing them but their families and others near the attack. And the news now is that two Israelis were killed as they traveled in their cars.

A week of peaceful intentions and hope has been replaced with a week of the worst violence since the present Intifadah began in September 2000. The question is asked, "Why?" Friends, if I had the answer to that question I probably would be in the Middle East right now brokering a peace. As I have written before, the issues in the Middle East are very complex. Let me just review them for you:

1. There is the matter of governmental differences. Israel is a democracy, the only one in the Middle East. People living there have all the rights and responsibilities associated with a democracy. In fact, Israel is such a democracy that it almost is chaotic...even the most minute political party has representation in the Knesset. On the other hand, the Palestinians, as with most of the Arab world, has been governed by a dictator. In the Palestinian's case, their leader has been Yasir Arafat...and friends, he is still the power broker among them.

2. There is the matter of economic differences. What a world of differences! Israel has become one of the most affluent nations in the world. That is due to their ingenuity and perseverance. The Palestinians are among some of the poorest people in the world. I am not sure why. But economics must be looked before a possible solution can be achieved.

3. There is the matter of religious differences. And, friends, this is most telling. For the most part, Judaism is a religion that just wants to be left alone. The Jews have never been overt in their proselytizing since the days of the first century. Theirs is a religion that is looking for peace and for the coming of the Messiah. On the other hand,
Islam is a religion emphasizing conquest. The history of Islam is one of conquest, at times even brutal conquest. This spirit is encouraged by the messages preached by the radical imans at the mosques every Friday. The main intent of Islam is to drive Israel into the sea. And when your religion teaches that you will know you can reach Paradise if you die in a holy war, many are willing to strap bombs upon themselves and die for the cause. This seems so foreign to us.

4. Finally, there is the issue of the land. (See discussion below...) Hamas states that they will not be content with just a little of the land, they want it all. No "land for peace" in their vocabulary.

I was asked yesterday by a student of mine what was going to happen. Seriously I do not know. As Billy Graham said in his message at Oklahoma City, peace will only come to the Middle East when the King returns. We know from the Scriptures that a false peace will first be realized. Its author is the Antichrist (read Daniel 9:24-27). I believe the world is now ready for his entrance. The Middle East situation is crying out for solutions...and no one has an answer. We could not be living in more exciting days! Jesus is coming! So, keep looking up because your redemption is drawing near.

Return to Max's Musings